Sen. Dodd: Mobile Pharmacy Van, Medical Equipment Bills Clear Senate

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate has approved two bills from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, which would improve the lives of the state’s most vulnerable including seniors, the disabled and homeless people by increasing access to medication, treatment and specialized equipment.

“We simply must address the medical needs of the underserved, and today’s vote takes us a step in that direction,” said Sen. Dodd. “Mobile pharmacy vans to bring medication and counseling to California’s hard-to-reach communities, improving health for homeless people and many others who have inadequate access to care. And providing refurbished medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers to people with disabilities and seniors will ensure all Californians have access to the care they need.”

Sen. Dodd’s proposal, Senate Bill 872, authorizes public agencies and others on the front lines of serving homeless and vulnerable people to operate mobile pharmacies. Each mobile unit would have a physician as part of the team to prescribe medications that can be dispensed immediately. Oversight would come from the state Board of Pharmacy.

The bill is supported by healthcare groups as well as Contra Costa, San Diego and Santa Clara counties.

“We have reached another critical milestone in delivering a mobile pharmacy to San Diego County residents,” said Nathan Fletcher, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “With this new tool, we will be able to offer important healthcare services to people across our region. Prescription access is difficult for those without transportation, and families living in rural areas, but the mobile pharmacy will create greater access. Sen. Bill Dodd has been a great partner with this legislation; and our County is here to support him in any way necessary.”

Senate Bill 842 directs the state to create a three-year pilot program in Contra Costa, Napa and Solano counties to redistribute durable medical goods to children and adults with disabilities as well as seniors, at no charge. The proposal, previously introduced by former Assemblymember Jim Frazier, D-Fairfield, is sponsored by the California Senior Legislature. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, is principal co-author.

“This is an opportunity to do what makes sense in our communities to build a program that reuses and recycles medical equipment in order to make the most of our resources,” said Yvonne Baginski, senior senator of the California Senior Legislature. “It keeps these items out of landfill and puts them to use by people in time of need.” 

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.